Monday morning by eight a.m. I was ready to face anything, even Rose. I had become used to her comments and requests. For the sake of Erin, I ignored all of them. Especially her suggestions that the two of us become friends and go kayaking and jogging together. Who is she kidding, she wants my side of the story.
I was standing in the kitchen when Kevin came in for breakfast. “Morning,” he said as he poured himself a cup of coffee. “Refill?” He reached over and helped himself to a chocolate croissant and a raisin bran muffin. He held the muffin up and said, “For later.”
I nodded. “Good idea.”
“Good morning,” Erin said to him as he left.
“Morning,” Kevin replied to her. “Croissants are good and hot.”
Erin forced a smile. “Thanks, I’m not really hungry. Then she asked me, “Julie, does it bother you when Rose tries to talk to you? Because—”
“Not at all!” I lied and sipped my coffee. Both our eyes opened wide when Michael and Christine came out of the pantry giggling. Christine’s hair was a mess.
Michael smiled in surprise and called out, “Good… morning, early birds.”
“Morning, Michael. Good morning, Christine,” I replied, wondering what they could have been doing in there for so long.
“Morning, Julie and Erin,” Christine said, both cheeks glowing hot pink, with an appearance that could only mean one thing.
“Good morning,” Erin replied and then told me she would wait for me in the library because she wanted to go over her assignments.
Dan and Jesse came out of the small dining room, and Lynnae popped in through the side door. I rinsed my cup, set it in the dishwasher and told Dan that I would be back in a few hours.
Kourtnee came out of her office and asked, “What’s going on?”
I shook my head. “I’m off to see Rose.” Before leaving, I reached over and tapped Michael on his hand. “I’ve missed your smile.”
In the lobby, I glanced over at the grandfather clock and noticed it was already eight-thirty.
Teresa hung up the phone and said, “That was Detective Kohl. He said Erin could go to her house and get her stuff. The police will have to go with her and record everything she takes.”
Both Teresa and I heard a loud noise come from the library. Erin was standing near the window and her backpack was on the floor, next to a book.
“I never want to go back to that house,” Erin said, and then sat down on the sofa.
“I’ll go with you,” Teresa said with an expression of doubt on her face.
“I have to use the bathroom,” Erin sprang to her feet and left the room.
Teresa followed her out as far as the front desk.
I sat down in a chair. On the mantel was a cast iron bust of Albert Einstein. I bought it because of the quote Lynnae had read to me a long time ago. In the center of the bookcase where the TV used to be was another one of my favorite quotes. That one was by Charlaine Harris, “Here’s to books, the cheapest vacation you can buy.”
“Julie…” Erin inhaled as she closed the door behind her.
I turned to her. I was thinking her vacation is over. Her reality is about to begin.
“I’m scared. I don’t want to go. I especially don’t want to go into the basement for Kyle’s books and toys. Julie, I.” She began to cry. “I have no desire to go back to that house. Not even if the police are there.”
I wished Frank were here. I knew Dan, Jesse, Kevin and Michael are strong but it’s Frank’s wisdom that I missed during times like this.
At that instant, the door swung open. “Hey, are ya ready? Let’s go!” Jesse waved us out of the room.
“Are you coming with us?” Erin asked, sounding pleased.
“Um, yeah!” Jesse held up his coffee. “Dan and Kevin are going to the day care until I get back.”
I was relieved. Not for security reasons, but for the mere fact that I wouldn’t have to listen to Rose. When we got in my Explorer, Erin told Jesse about being able to get her belongings.
“Teresa told me,” he said as he started the engine.
“I don’t want to go…” Erin cried.
“That’s fine. You don’t have to. Make me a list and I’ll go,” Jesse told her.
“Not alone!” I said louder than I should have.
He smirked. “Like Dan’s going to let me. Man, he’s overprotective.” Jesse shot me a look. “Worse than you!”
“Erin, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” I said.
We rode in silence until Jesse turned the radio on.
Jesse pulled up to Rose’s office, jumped out and stood near the front door with his hands behind his back. If that doesn’t scream bodyguard, nothing does. His stance was a clear sign of strength and confidence. This time, I made Jesse come inside with us.
I opened the door, and Erin stepped inside. Jesse and I sat down in the waiting room. I was thankful Erin didn’t tell me to follow her in when Rose opened the door. We introduced Rose to Jesse. The receptionist asked us if we cared for something to drink. We both told her, “No, thank you.”
An hour later, Rose opened the door. We could hear her telling Erin, “Not all abuse is physical. The need to control is another kind of ill treatment.”
In the car, Erin shared Rose’s recommendation for Kyle to speak to a child psychologist. “But, I want to wait,” Erin said. “I don’t want him to leave the inn. Not yet.”
When we got back to the inn, a few of the guests were still eating breakfast in the large dining room. I thought about how small the room appeared. Erin, Jesse and I helped ourselves to something to drink and sat in the kitchen at the counter. A moment later, Dan and Kevin came in from the side door.
“Michael’s reading to the kids.” Dan held his right hand up. “Amanda locked the door. Good news, right?” he said as he poured two glasses of his iced tea.
“Erin, are you excited to get your stuff?” Kevin asked as he took a glass from Dan.
“Dan?” Jesse raised his hand, pointing to the door leading down the hall with his thumb. “Erin’s going make us a list, why don’t you and I discuss a good time to go.”
Silence.
I glanced over at Erin. “Stop. You’re fine.” Tears streaming down her cheeks, she had one hand on her mouth, and the other drumming the table.
“Oh,” Jesse said to her. “Don’t start that. You’re not going.” Then he sat down next to her. “Look at me. That bastard is never getting out of jail. He’s going straight to prison.”
Dan put his hand on the counter in front of Erin. “Make us a list and we’ll get your belongings. You can stay here and help Julie.”
“Yeah, and get your homework done, too,” Jesse said jokingly.
Erin inhaled and wiped her eyes. “You’re the best.” She glanced up at Jesse and mouthed, “Thank you.”
Jesse reached for an oatmeal cookie. “What?” shooting me that look.
I just smiled and shook my head.